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Common HVAC Problems

During the warmer months of the year, your A/C unit gets used more often than not which can often lead to unexpected HVAC problems. Preventative air conditioning troubleshooting and proper residential air conditioning maintenance are essential to ensure your HVAC system is in great working shape, keeping you cool through the summer.

While some HVAC problems can be resolved by just cleaning coils and filters, some heating and cooling system issues will escalate into far more serious issues if not addressed promptly. The majority of these issues can be avoided by scheduling annual preventative maintenance services.

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE

To keep your system in good operating order, you must get it serviced on a regular basis by a registered service technician. Many of the most frequent A/C issues can be avoided by having your HVAC system serviced by a professional. Your home A/C system is a big investment and caring for it should be a top priority. If you ignore routine maintenance, you’ll likely face unexpectedly high repair costs, higher energy bills, poor performance, and dissatisfaction. 

Protect your investment and enjoy peace of mind by having a Tony Kelly HVAC Inc certified professional to examine your HVAC system today. Contact us to schedule your annual service.

PROBLEMS WITH THE PILOT OR THE IGNITION

Ignition issues can be caused by a variety of factors. The pilot outage, brief cycling, furnace lockout, or delayed activation of the burners can all be caused by a dirty pilot, flame sensor, or burners. It could also be due to a gas supply issue or just wear and tear on an ignition component that has to be replaced, such as a hot surface ignitor or thermocouple. In any case, because these issues involve dangerous elements like natural gas and high voltage, it is best to have them addressed by a trained service technician.

DIRTY OR OLD FILTERS

One of the most important things you can do to extend the life and effectiveness of your furnace is to replace your filter(s) on a regular basis. If your filter is clogged, airflow will be restricted, forcing your unit to work harder to circulate air around your home. This puts undue strain on your A/C or furnace’s blower, as well as causing comfort difficulties. A clogged filter can possibly be the source of the problem.

MALFUNCTIONS OF THE THERMOSTAT

Thermostats, both programmable and non-programmable, come in a variety of operating styles. When a homeowner believes their HVAC system isn’t working properly, it is sometimes due to a problem with the thermostat or how it’s been adjusted. You may be able to avoid paying for an expensive or unnecessary service call by consulting your owner’s manual and reviewing the operating instructions. Batteries in programmable thermostats may need to be replaced on a regular basis. If the problem persists, a service professional can swiftly diagnose the issue.

WEAR AND TEAR IN THE WORKPLACE

Your heating and cooling system rely on a number of mechanical components. The natural wear and tear of these components can have a negative impact on the functioning of your machine. Belts and bearings, for example, can cause overheating, inadequate heating, and ventilation problems. Checking for worn or stretched belts, as well as oiling bearings and motors, should be part of routine maintenance.

TRIPPED BREAKERS OR BLOWN FUSES

The most typical cause of a circuit breaker trip in a furnace is an overworked blower. If something is obstructing your system’s airflow, your blower will have to work harder to compensate. A clogged air filter is the most likely cause. When your air filter is clogged, your blower needs to work harder to push air through it. The blower’s energy consumption rises as a result of this. Before resetting your circuit breaker, check your filter and replace it with a clean one. If the problem persists, you should call an expert who can safely establish if the problem is due to an HVAC system malfunction or a faulty circuit breaker. Duct leaks, closed or blocked-off air registers, and dirty coils are all things that might cause the blower to overwork.

NOISES FROM THE FURNACE THAT ARE OUT OF THE BOX

Some furnace noises are benign, while others could be a sign of a mechanical issue. A whining or screaming motor could indicate that the inducer or blower motor’s bearings are deteriorating. To avoid a furnace failure, the engine may need to be replaced. Airflow difficulties or unclean burners can generate other noises. 

COILS FROM A DIRTY CONDENSER OR EVAPORATOR

Most likely, your air conditioner’s normal maintenance has been overlooked, and it isn’t cooling as efficiently as it could be. Dirt and debris can clog your system’s coils, reducing its performance and causing it to wear out sooner. After you’ve turned off the power to the condenser, you can spray down the outdoor coil. The electrical disconnect near the house can be used to turn off the power. The interior evaporator coil might become clogged, especially if the furnace filters aren’t replaced on a regular basis. A dirty evaporator coil can lower furnace and air conditioner efficiency and make your system work harder. A qualified service specialist will need to clean extremely dirty coils.

WATER LEAKS

Condensation is produced by both air conditioners and high-efficiency furnaces. Drain pipes are used to guarantee that water drains properly. If the drain lines are clogged or damaged, water can seep from the furnace. There are a few different ways to properly clean your HVAC unit to ensure efficiency, but these should be done by a professional A/C and heating technician. The collector box, heat exchanger, or evaporator drain are all probable leak sources – your technician will be able to diagnose the issue and get it resolved quickly.

THE BLOWER RUNS CONTINUOUSLY

A furnace blower may run constantly for a variety of reasons. Check the fan switch on the thermostat before calling for help. When the thermostat is set to the fan on the setting, the motor will run continually. It is common for homeowners to turn on the fan switch by accident. When there is a need for heat, a fan relay in the furnace switches the blower on; if the relay sticks, the blower will not shut off. On the furnace, there are a variety of safety features and limits. The circuit board may turn on the furnace to cool it down if it is engaged. The blower will not shut off if the limit or safety is not reset. This issue can be evaluated by a qualified service technician.

POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Did you know that the air quality inside your home might be significantly worse than outside? Dirty air filters are one of the causes of indoor air pollution. When you install a new filter, it immediately goes to work cleaning dust and debris from the air. These items accumulate on the filter over time, obstructing airflow and compromising indoor air quality. This is something that Tony Kelly HVAC Inc can assist you with. We’ll inspect your air conditioner on a regular basis and notify you when it’s time to change the filters. We can also give humidity control and ducting services to ensure that your family is always inhaling clean air.

INEFFICIENT COOLING

If your air conditioner won’t switch on or keeps cycling on and off, the issue could be with your thermostat. As the brain of your system, it must be in excellent working order at all times in order to keep your home at the proper temperature.

WRONG SIZE EQUIPMENT

If your HVAC unit is too big or too little, it won’t be able to offer you the heating or cooling you require to keep your home at the perfect temperature. If you underutilize your system, you will not get the most out of your investment. Overusing it, on the other hand, will result in higher expenditures due to increased energy consumption.

More troubleshooting tips for air conditioners to avoid difficulties:

As you can see, there are a number of issues that may be avoided by doing an air conditioning troubleshooting procedure. If you just remember one thing from an air conditioning troubleshooting conversation, it should be that good maintenance is the greatest way to avoid difficulties and headaches for you and your neighbors. Though air conditioning troubleshooting is beneficial to your system’s efficient operation, the most common air conditioning problems can be avoided by following a routine maintenance plan.

Contact the specialists at Tony Kelly for more information on any of these frequent issues or any other HVAC queries you may have. Always by your side making sure that every cooling problem gets solved.

published on Saturday, December 25th, 2021